Former NY Film Festival Director Shines Light on Underrepresented Stories at Black History Month Kickoff

“Black cinema developed a distinct voice that reflected the lived realities of African Americans,”  said Richard Peña, former director of the New York Film Festival at a powerful opening event for Black History Month at Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), where he highlighted the power of diverse voices to upend expectations and foster a more just society.

The event, which featured a screening of Killer of Sheep (1978) by Charles Burnett and Residue (2020) by Merawi Gerima, included a thought-provoking discussion led by Peña, who is also Emeritus Professor of Film and Media Studies at Columbia University.

As the first in a series of activities celebrating the US commemoration of Black History Month, the event explored the evolution of independent Black cinema, from the L.A. Rebellion movement of black filmmakers studying at UCLA, to narratives emerging among African Americans filmmakers today. Peña highlighted how Killer of Sheep poetically captured working-class Black life in 1970s Los Angeles, while Residue tackled the displacement of communities of color by whites in Washington, DC. 

Discussing Residue, Peña noted the importance of showcasing this little-known history of the area surrounding Georgetown’s campus in the United States. “I was excited to show the film here because it was entirely shot in a small area of about two blocks in Washington, DC, showing its housing and racial friction problems.”

Peña also offered insight on those interested in telling their own stories and speaking truth to power. He recounted how Black filmmakers, once creating outside Hollywood’s system, gained mainstream visibility—sometimes at the cost of their radical edge. He explained, “As [black filmmaking] became more integrated into the mainstream, many unique elements—such as raw realism, cultural specificity, and politically charged narratives—were often softened to appeal to wider audiences.”

By showcasing these two films, the event underscored the power of cinema to challenge narratives, preserve history, and spark meaningful conversations on race, identity, and representation. It also marked a significant moment in GU-Q’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, reinforcing the university’s commitment to fostering dialogue on critical global issues.

The celebration continues throughout the month with a Black Literary Arts Festival February 12-15, 2025, and the play “Here I Am,” February 19, 2025.  Learn more and register.